Lawyer calls Ismail Sabri asset declaration charge ‘very strange’

KUALA LUMPUR – The defence team representing former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has described the charge against him for allegedly failing to declare millions of ringgit in assets as “very strange and unique”.

Lawyer Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad said the charge was particularly unusual given that the prosecution had previously sought the forfeiture of assets seized during its investigation under Section 41 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009.

The assets involved include RM14.7 million in cash, millions in foreign currencies and five gold bars.

The foreign currencies comprise SG$6.1 million, US$1.46 million, CHF3 million, €12.16 million, ¥363 million, £50,250, NZD44,600, AED34.7 million and AUD$352,850.

During the proceedings, Amer said the prosecution had previously confirmed that no criminal prosecution would be brought against Ismail after the investigation papers were examined.

“There was previously a declaration by the prosecution confirming that, after the investigation papers had been examined, no prosecution would be brought against Ismail Sabri.

“However, now for a very strange reason, we have been informed that the prosecution is proceeding even though the powers under Section 41 of the MACC Act have been exercised.

“This creates a very strange and unique situation,” he said.

Amer appeared alongside lawyers Datuk Seri Rajan Navaratnam, Ragunath Kesavan, Joshua Tay, Tan Xu Yin, Jason Anthony and Ashwath Ramakrishnan.

He said the defence would examine the charges and reserved the right to challenge their propriety and validity.

The lawyer's remarks come after the MACC previously sought the forfeiture of nearly RM170 million seized during its investigation in July 2025.

On Oct 1, 2025, the Sessions Court ordered the money to be forfeited to the government after no third party came forward to claim the funds and no objection was filed against the forfeiture application.